Why do christian woman refuse to wear headscarf when praying?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,137
5,720
113
#41
Obviously you have not bothered to see what is actually stated in 1 Corinthians 11. "Man made covering" exposes your lack of knowledge of this matter.

So if people are going to address this passage honestly, they must first of all discern that it is the Holy Spirit -- not Paul -- who has devoted 16 verses of Scripture to a matter of great importance to God and to the holy angels.
Ive quoted about the whole section but okay lol


“Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

( that’s the issue he’s addressing )

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ( because he’s covering his head )

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. ( because that’s the covering God made for women’s head )


But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”( but it’s actually not worth arguing about because here is no rule regarding this in the church )
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:4-5, 13-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s not rocket science to understand the Bible you just read what the people have written like that section it’s pretty plainly stated what he’s talking about you just have to read it
 

HopeinHim98

Well-known member
Mar 16, 2023
529
417
63
#42
Why not just read what the scripture says though ? It’s pretty clear isn’t it

“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:13-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

a if I don’t bother reading context it sounds like this

“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?”

but there’s no reason for me to not read the context of what Paul’s saying which leads to the next couple sentences

“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

so now I don’t need to wonder if the Bible commands women to wear a scarf and I can just realize what Paul’s talking about

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head:

… For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ( because he’s covering his head )

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”( because that’s her head covering given by God )
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:5-7, 13-15‬ ‭
So how should a woman be shorn or shaven if she isn't covered (or doesn't have long hair in your interpretation.) ? And how does a man not cover his head while praying?
 

HopeinHim98

Well-known member
Mar 16, 2023
529
417
63
#43
Ive quoted about the whole section but okay lol


“Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

( that’s the issue he’s addressing )

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ( because he’s covering his head )

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. ( because that’s the covering God made for women’s head )


But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”( but it’s actually not worth arguing about because here is no rule regarding this in the church )
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:4-5, 13-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s not rocket science to understand the Bible you just read what the people have written like that section it’s pretty plainly stated what he’s talking about you just have to read it
And also, why does Paul specifically say while praying or prophesying, as if it's something that can be taken on and off?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,137
5,720
113
#44
There are 2 reasons this interpretation doesn't make sense:

1. Paul said if a woman be not covered (which in this interpretation would mean not having hair) let her be shorn or shaven. This would be a non-sensical statement if the hair is the covering.

2.Men are not supposed to pray covered. Is he supposed to shave his hair before each time he prays?

I realize it says her hair is given her for a covering. But it has to mean something different than the aforementioned covering.
“Paul said if a woman be not covered (which in this interpretation would mean not having hair) let her be shorn or shaven. This would be a non-sensical statement if the hair is the covering.”


thats what your saying but your saying the hair isn’t the covering read it as a whole statement

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

( that’s the issue Paul is addressing )

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

( thats part of his argument as to why )

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ( because he is covering his head )

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.


(Then he explains it’s not something to argue about either way)

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:4-5, 7, 13-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It seems sort of like to not get it we’d have to ignore it

This part

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Is discerned here

“even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?


And this part

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head”

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?”

is here

“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

its pretty basic If a women puts a sheet on her head itnisnt going to protect her from evil angels
 

HopeinHim98

Well-known member
Mar 16, 2023
529
417
63
#45
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
This part specifically doesn't make sense to me if the covering means long hair. Do you see what I mean? Let's replace the words to see if it makes sense.

"But every woman that prayeth or prophesyesth with [short hair] dishonoreth her head: for that is all one as if she were shaven."

Do do see what I mean that it's a non-sensical statement?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just honest with the scriptures.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,184
6,606
113
62
#46
It's all symbolic. Christ is our covering and it is only through Him that we have access to the throne of grace. Humility is our cloak and contrition our veil.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,137
5,720
113
#47
And also, why does Paul specifically say while praying or prophesying, as if it's something that can be taken on and off?
I don’t really know but what do you think when you read what Paul’s saying in the whole chapter ?

You realize shaving one’s head had a different meaning In Jewish culture and Greek right ? And that’s part of why Paul’s addressing it and why they were arguing about hair length ? Because many societies began to have clashing customs when the gospel began to be preached to all nations you had Greeks Roman’s Jews ethieopeans ect all part of one church now a lot of what Paul’s addressing is because of things like that

long hair for men was popular and a glory in Greek culture but a shame in Jewish culture short hair on women meant different things also

He’s also addressing some of those societal differences like this part

“For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn:

but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

in the end he makes the point that this isn’t a rule or any thing the church requires or has any stated rules about which is probably the most important statement of the chapter certainly regarding hair length

“But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s really something each group should find a place to agree on and the. Nice on to relevant matters but I assure you God hears a woman’s prayers the exact same way he hears a man’s prayers and he doesn’t require them to hide thier shame or thier hair because of what eve did
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,137
5,720
113
#48
This part specifically doesn't make sense to me if the covering means long hair. Do you see what I mean? Let's replace the words to see if it makes sense.

"But every woman that prayeth or prophesyesth with [short hair] dishonoreth her head: for that is all one as if she were shaven."

Do do see what I mean that it's a non-sensical statement?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just honest with the scriptures.
really though it’s more like your avoiding scripture Paul’s writings Feb letter read what he’s saying not trying to dissect each word but look at what he’s talking about and what he concludes about it what he’s actually saying to then I mean the point he’s making

why do you suppose he starts here revealing a difference

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Right he’s brought up a contrasting point here he has it explained what he’s talking about yet but clearly he’s saying man shouldn’t have his head covered and women should have thiers covered

nothing yet to argue about but why do you suppose he explains for a bit and then arrives here ? At the same contrast again but now actually talking about a head covering given to women ?

Paul’s coming to a conclusion here he’s saying judge for yourselves


“Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:13-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬


I’m having a hard time discussing with you because at this point there isn’t a question in my mind that the head covering Paul’s been discussing is the one he receives at there

The same contrast at the beginning and end it just seems silly to keep debating it honestly
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
7,114
1,743
113
#49
How Jewish are you, birdie? You can teach westerners what the Bible says?
I'm guessing she's Greek (Eastern) Orthodox.... could be wrong, though. Perhaps she'll let us know.
Great picture, though.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,470
13,783
113
#50
There are 2 reasons this interpretation doesn't make sense:

1. Paul said if a woman be not covered (which in this interpretation would mean not having hair) let her be shorn or shaven. This would be a non-sensical statement if the hair is the covering.

2.Men are not supposed to pray covered. Is he supposed to shave his hair before each time he prays?

I realize it says her hair is given her for a covering. But it has to mean something different than the aforementioned covering.
There's more to this passage than the text itself would tell you. However, in order to understand it, the reader must lay aside his or her existing conclusions and prepare to work through some moral and doctrinal indignation.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
#52
The bible is clear, cover your hair when you pray!

Why call yourself christian when not wanting to follow what bible says?
It is belief in Christ and following Him that is understood, from scripture, to be what is called a Christian.

Wearing a scarf does not make you a Christian nor does wearing any type of head covering.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,932
1,118
113
#55
Well it is a biblical topic that has importance, even if the OP's motives seem off.
I have long hair to honor God - that's my personal take. And the Lord has answered my prayers whether my hair was long or not (I had a really bad haircut one time :)), veiled or not (never used any other type of head covering other than my hair). So I don't think these verses are really about head covering of hair vs veils but about revering the Lord properly in our positions and identity as men and women.

Anyway, I'm fine with whatever people get from these verses. It's just not something I want to argue about is all.

I just wonder why the OP posted this thread to begin with since he's a man. Is he posting it to genuinely call all women to cover their heads with veils or is there another reason? He doesn't post often from what I've seen, but I hope he replies soon.

 
Jul 14, 2019
214
124
43
#60
The Bible is clear her hair is her covering. There's no verse that says to wear a second covering. I come from a background of holiness where girls have long hair. It's a show of obedience to Corinthians. But most girls have long enough hair.